But as the minutes dragged on, only two possible options remained: Either Freddie was late, or she had changed her mind. Just as Lucien’s spirits began to sink dangerously close to the floor, the door of the summer house creaked open. It might as well have been a trumpet blast from the angel Gabriel himself, for the rush of joy that swept through him.
There. All that worrying was for naught.
And yet, his neck still prickled with a strange sense of awareness. Something about this wasn’t right.
Lucien cleared his throat as a dark figure came into view. “I’m back here.”
A few floor lanterns provided some light, but he couldn’t see her face. Freddie made no response as she slowly moved farther into the room, gliding nimbly around the furniture. Dozens of potted plants and exotic shrubs filled the space, lending it something of a fantastical quality. One could almost imagine they were in a villa on the Riviera, not landlocked in the English countryside. It was also warm in here. And seemed to grow even warmer as she approached with the steady, regal bearing of a queen. Lucien tugged on his collar and forced his nerves to settle as much as he could manage.
You’re a grown man now. And she wantsyou. So take what is yours.
Just as Lucien set his shoulders back and stood a little straighter, Freddie stepped into a shard of moonlight. But instead of the impish smile he was expecting, her face looked drawn. And serious.
Muchtoo serious.
Lucien reared back in confusion.
“I can see you are disappointed,” she began in a clipped voice laced with disapproval. “But hear me out first.”
It wasAlex.What the hell was she doing here?
“Where… where is Freddie?” He hated how desperate he sounded. How weak. Like the pitiful boy he had once been.
“Freddie isn’t coming,” she said. That usual maddening disinterest in her voice only made him sound hysterical by comparison.
“But she—”
Alex stepped closer. “I know what she told you, but I’m afraid that isn’t possible,” she said with cool formality, as if they were discussing a missed appointment rather than a clandestine meeting.
From a distance it was easier to mistake her for her sister, but now there was no confusing the two of them. Whereas Freddie’s gown had made her stand out, Alex had taken the opposite approach and was swathed in a shade of green so dark she practically blended in with the shrubbery. Still, he couldn’t help skimming over her figure. She was taller and less shapely than Freddie, but the gown still accentuated her full bust and narrow waist, while the color provided a pleasing contrast to her porcelain skin. As she stared directly at him, her large brown eyes looked nearly black.
Lucien’s gaze traveled over her face, far longer than it ever had before, everdared, and he suddenly blinked in astonishment. Good Lord, Alexandra Atkinson wasattractive. It was Freddie who was always hailed as beautiful and vivacious, whereas words likespinster,ice queen, and, occasionally,termagantwere applied to her sister. But if he had passed Alex on the street, he certainly would have turned his head. Maybe even touched the brim of his hat if he was feeling particularly bold.
Her beauty was quieter. More mysterious. And Lucien liked it very much. He felt the unmistakable twinge of lust deep in his belly.
The realization was as horrifying as it was confounding.
She raised a haughty eyebrow at his silence. “Well? Aren’t you going to say anything?”
Lucien gave himself a shake. He had been standing there this entire time just staring at her like a dolt. “Of course I am,” he blustered, which didn’t do much to help. Then he straightened his lapels in a bid to gather his scattered thoughts.Freddie. Right.“Why isn’t it possible for her to see me?”
“Because she is attached to another man.”
Lucien let out a snort. “Didn’t seem that way to me.”
Alex narrowed her eyes. And damn it all if he didn’t like that too. “Nevertheless, the connection remains. His name is Hank Ericson Jr. and he is the son and heir of a multimillion-dollar American manufacturing magnate. We are also hoping to take the family on as clients.”
“Ah, I see. And you don’t want me interfering in any potential business opportunities.”
“I think ‘interfering’ may be too strong a word,” Alex replied with a shrewd look. “But Freddie is feeling a little nervous about her future, and she is easily distracted at the moment.”
Lucien leaned forward, determined not to be cowed by this woman. “Then perhaps she shouldn’t be marrying someone who makes her nervous.”
Alex smiled at that, but it only reminded Lucien of a shark. Something cold and sinister. And ready to strike. “Forgive me, but you have been gone a long time and know nothing about the situation or my sister,” she said. “I want what is best for her, and you are simply a novelty.”
He took a step forward. “I am herfriend.”
“And yet we both recall how that turned out for you,” she murmured.
